Serving in the Church
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:9-11
10.1 - Describe a time with you were served by the church, the people of God.
There have been a number of men who have come alongside me to help me grow in my faith. They saw potential in me and spent time with me. We have also been cared for financially in some way by the church since 2001 and am so grateful.
10.2 - Write down all the ways you are currently serving in the church.
Lead Pastor
Read these passages below a couple of times and answer the following questions.
Romans 12
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
10.3 - What are your initial thoughts as you read these passages?
Let us use them (v12:6), our gifts, for the growing up of the body of Christ into full maturity. IN LOVE!
10.4 - Why do you think God chooses to distribute His gifts throughout the church, and what can we learn about God and ourselves from this?
God desires that we stay dependent. He wants us to rightly lean on His power and understanding and guidance. Our humility is important to Him. (Ro 12:3)
When we need and rely on each other. And when we do we are acting in relationship with one another and with God and this is God's design. Love, Care, and Service all involve others and this is how we best display God when we follow His character.
You can get good at something
We can find numerous places in the Bible that talk about gifts, talents, and skills in the Bible. God has chosen to gift us with spiritual gifts, creative gifts, and physical gifts. As a leader, God desires for you to use what He has given you for His glory, as we read at the start of this session:
1 Peter 4:11b ...in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
One way to consider your unique giftings is by looking through the lens of the FiveFold Ministry Gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher. (APEST) - Eph 4:11-12
Let us look at each one of these to help us evaluate our best roles in the church.
They extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, and networking with others.
Roles: (BLESS) Church Planting, Develop Leaders, Networking with other Churches, Casting Vision, Starting New Initiatives...
They know God's will. They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo.
Roles: (BE) Spiritual Direction, Protecting Doctrine, Correction from straying from God's will, Encouragement and Hope, and Prayer and Intercession...
They recruit. These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to the cause. They call for a personal response to God's redemption in Christ and also draw believers to engage in the wider mission, growing the church.
Roles: (BLESS) Sharing the Gospel inside and outside the church, Organizing Outreach Opportunities, Equipping others in Evangelism, Encouraging others in Personal Ministry...
They nurture and protect. As caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock, cultivate a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships, and make and develop disciples.
Roles: (BELONG) Spiritual Care, Counseling, Life on Life Mentoring, Build Community in the Church...
They understand and explain. As communicators of God's truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God's will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ's word, and constructing a transferable doctrine.
Roles: Biblical Instruction, Developing and Deploying Discipleship, Apologetics...
Be - We love God as His satisfied children.
1. Finds identity and joy in a relationship with their loving Father through a saving faith in Jesus. They have been baptized into the family of God and seek to worship the Father in all aspects of life.
2. Has a solid understanding from the Bible of who God is and what He is like.
3. Confesses sin and understands how its roots are in not believing the gospel.
4. Displays the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
5. Shows maturity and growth in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, Bible study, stewardship, and battling sin.
Bless - We love our neighbors empowered by Jesus’ love.
1. Lives as a missionary where they live, work, and play. (BLESS rhythms)
2. Able to explain the gospel and seeks opportunities to offer it to others.
3. Able to describe their journey: past, present, and future in the light of the gospel.
4. Serves their neighbors in love with time and money.
5. Faithful in pursuing spiritual growth in their family at home with their spouse and kids.
Belong - Together we live as a welcoming spiritual family.
1. Lives an open and hospitable life that accepts people where they are and shows them a loving community.
2. Seeks unity among the church and friendship with others in leadership.
3. Works out their faith within the spiritual family and desires to equip and be equipped through life-on-life discipleship, regularly receiving from and giving to the church body to help it mature.
4. Consistent in attending the gatherings and ministries of Neighborhood Church.
5. Respects the theological views of their brothers and sisters as well as Neighborhood Church and the Southern Baptist denomination.
We have compiled a list of our ministries, descriptions, and contact information. Please review our current ministries and consider where you would like to lead or serve.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17l1uFoCvThw7UWE6fP4mLSZPNA-6fErPpuIR5t5PdxE/edit?usp=sharing
10.5 - What do you think is your primary and secondary APEST role and why?
"Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, or Teacher"
Primary- Apostle - I love to create and design new environments for people to grow and develop.
Secondary - Evangelist/Shepherd - I want people to be offered the Gospel with love, truth, grace, and clarity. There is joy in this new birth. I believe that community (shepherding) is a great way
to best describe and experience Jesus.
10.6 - These roles are given to "equip the saints for the work of ministry." How are you equipping others inside and/or outside our church environments?
Lead Pastor / Worship Pastor Roles:
Mentoring
Church Planting
Worship Leading Training
Building enjoyable environments
Writing and designing curriculum
10.7 - As we finish up this Leadership Course, what are 3 areas of growth that you have experienced or starting to experience in your leadership?
Writing and designing Discipleship Pathways
Trying to raise the bar and giving away leadership more (worship, preaching, sports camp...)
Want to personally disciple 3 people one on one (Carter, Josh M, my kids...)
End Session #10 and the Leadership Course
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